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| Satellite surveillance detected persistent hotspots with moderate to dense smoke haze in Sumatra and Kalimantan (1 Sept to 16 Sept 2019) |
What is Haze?
Haze is an air-borne mixture of pollutants that included soot particles, carbon dioxide and other toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide. Haze pollution affects several Southeast Asian countries on a regular basis, notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and to a lesser extent Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The condition is largely caused by the burning of large tracts of forested land. The haze usually occurs during the southwest monsoon between June and September and becomes more severe during periods of the dry weather.
The condition is largely caused by the burning of large tracts of forested land. The haze usually occurs during the southwest monsoon between June and September and becomes more severe during periods of the dry weather.
What is the Air Pollutant Index (API)?
A method of reporting air quality. Calculated by measuring airborne levels of carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
Current haze status in Malaysia is mostly at unhealthy and moderate level at several places entire Malaysia indicating the highest API of 221 which is very unhealthy.
Current haze status in Malaysia is mostly at unhealthy and moderate level at several places entire Malaysia indicating the highest API of 221 which is very unhealthy.
How do I check the latest API levels?
You can get the lates hourly reading at the Department of Environment website https://www.doe.gov.my/portalv1/en/ or you can download MyIPU Apps at your smart phone.
Group of people that are sensitive to haze
- Children & elderly
- People with chronic lung disease
- Hear disease are more sensitive to the health effects of haze and should adopt the preventive measures in the MOH health advisory when air quality is poor.
- Individuals are advised to consult their doctor should they develop breathing difficulties.
- Pregnant women reduce exposure to haze for the health of their unborn baby.
The effect of haze
- Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat in healthy individuals.
- Haze particles can affect heart and lungs, especially in people who already have chronic heart or lung disease e.g asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heard failure.
- There may be up to 1-3 days of time between exposure to haze and health effects symptoms.
Long term effect
- Cardiovascular effects, such as heart attacks
- Reduced lung development
- The development of chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma in children.
Action during haze
- Those suffering from disease such as cough, colds, asthma, eye disease, heart disease or chronic lung disease should come to the clinic immediately if the conditions worsens.
- Reduce outdoor physical activities. If you need to be outdoor, wear suitable mask such as N95 respirator.
- N95 sould be used by all motocycle riders, those working outside the building or in dusty areas as well as those identified as high risk groups.
- Use air conditioning when traveling in your vehicle and select the recirculate air mode. Turn on the vehicle's headlight while driving in low visibility and reduces visibility.
- Drink plenty of water at least 8 glasses a day.
- Wash your hands and face with soap and clean water after attending / performing outdoor activities.
- If the haze persists at a dangerous level, those at high risk advised to leave the area.
Can I still come to work?
Yes, it is still safe to work indoors during the haze. Outdoor work will have to be stopped if the API readings reach "unhealthy" levels (please refer table).
Who needs to wear a mask?
People with medical conditions such as heart disease and asthma,
If you are suffering from symptoms such as dry/sore throat, cough, shortness of breath.
What type of masks are suitable?
N95 respirator. Sugical masks are NOT suitable prorection against the haze.
Sources : Department of Environment
19 Comments
Jerebu melanda lagi. Nak pakai topeng muka tu agak susah juga sebab tak biasa tapi disebabkan jerebu sangat teruk kena pakai juga. Harap2 cepatlah pulih kebakaran di Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteRawlins adalah salah seorang yang mudah terjejas dengan keadaan jerebu nie. Apatah lagi memang sejenis yang alergik pada debu, so kena je jerebu teruk, terus kulit Rawlins jadi merengsa. Huhu.
ReplyDeleteBBL sekarang dah jatuh sakit dek jerebu ni, sensetif sangat la bab udara kotor ni. harap la jerebu ni cepat berakhir tak sanggup lagi hadap tiap hari
ReplyDeleteBahaya bila datang jerebu, keluar rumah kene pakai mask. Mula mula, batuk, lepas tu sakit mata, ha itu salah satu sebab jerebu. Semua, jangan lupa pakai mask ye. Jaga diri. Alhamdulilah kawasan saya dah kurang jerebu.
ReplyDeleteGood sharing since we are all concerned about this haze...
ReplyDeletekali ni haze memang agak teruk... last weekend, masa saya baalik ke KL, Ya Allah, sampai sakit tekak dibuatnya... walaupun IPU was slightly lower than before (around 145 gitu) still terasa bau asap... anyhow, dengan N95 yang kehabisan dan N95 saiz kanak-kanak sukar diperolehi... terpaksalah anak-anak pakai mask doktor bedah tu (daripada takde kannnn)...
ReplyDeletememang tak keluar rumah time cuti, tak sanggup rasanya dahlah baru baik dari pakej demam , batuk dan selsema.. terima kasih atas perkongsian ini moga sentuasa diberi kesihatan yg baik.
ReplyDeleteMmg haze kalai ni sangat membimbangkan. Bacaan dia tinggi sangat. Kita yg keluar pun blh rasa kesannya apatah lg untuk kanak2
ReplyDeleteTerseksa bila keluar je dari rumah musim jerebu ni. Kesian dekat anak2 juga
ReplyDeleteJerebu kali ni rasanya yang paling teruk. Tengok gambar dan video kat Jambi, Indonesia tu.. Sampai merah langit dorang. Family dan kawan-kawan saya pun ramai tak sihat disebabkan jerebu ni. Batuk dan demam. Semoga jerebu ni cepat hilang dan IPU kembali normal
ReplyDeleteCakap pasal hmjerebu paling risaubialah anak2 kecil & juga warga tua. Kesian tengok dorang terpaksa tak selesa guna mask. Musim jerebu ni mmg kene limitkan aktiviti luar. Moga cpt hilang hendaknya
ReplyDeleteWaktu jerebu memnag kitaornag jarang keluar..sebba anak mudah batuk bila ada sapa ni semua..biarlah duduk dalam rumah, dri kat luar tak bersih..ada juga pergi keluar tu pun p tesco tempat berbumbumng..hehe
ReplyDeletealhamdulillah bumi kelantan hujan pagi ni. reda lah sikit jerebu kat sini. walaupun ipu di kelantan tak tinggi sangat tapi ramai juga officemate mek yang dapat kesan daripada jerebu ni. semoga cepatlah ia berlalu pergi.
ReplyDeleteTerima kasih atas perkongsian ya. Mmgg musim jerebu tiap2 tahun ada. Dh boleh masukkan dlm takwim, utk musim jerebu ni. Skrg ni nmpk dhh berkurang sikit, allhammduulillah.
ReplyDeleteAnak sis memang keluar masa exam je. sebelum tu memang pontengkan dia, kalau keluar pun kena pakai mask..selsema dan batuk dia truk sejak jerebu ni. Harap tak le berpanjangan
ReplyDeleteAlhamdulillah hari ni dah jauh lebih reda. Hujan pun dah turun kan. Cuma kesian kat negara jiran kita la kat Indonesia sana. Diorang dalam keadaan darurat.
ReplyDeleteSejak isu Haze ni kita pun jarang keluar rumah dalam rumah sendiri pun ada rasa kesannya macam pedih mata dan juga sakit tekak batuk-batuk... teruk sekarang ni harap ada penyelesaian perkara ini untuk masa akan datang..
ReplyDeleteGood sharing... Payah nak cakap perkara sebegini. Diluar jangkaan kita kannn. So kita kena elakkan berada kat luar terutama anak². dok rumah elakkan pi sekolah aktiviti luar. Alhamdulillah getting better dah sekarang kannnn
ReplyDeleteHaze really in results many people in sick. Very bad air pollution, hope that the situation can get better, and not getting worse.
ReplyDelete